BY A.J NASH

Some interesting news has been brought to The81stMinute.com’s attention which could change State of Origin rugby league as we know it.

Since forever, old foes, New South Wales and Queensland have done battle on the footy fields of Australia.

It’s sport’s greatest rivalry with millions of viewers each year.

But what would happen to the concept if, shockingly, the people of North Queensland got their way and split away from Queensland and formed their own government?

This has been brewing for some time – as far back as the 1800’s.

The ‘State of North Queensland’s’ Wikipedia page reads:

“According to The Courier-Mail in 2010, the majority of North Queensland mayors were in favour of the separation from Queensland proper. Only two of the 100 delegates at the NQ Local Government Association meeting were against the proposal – the two being Mayor Val Schier (Cairns) and Mayor Ben Callcott (Charters Towers).

“In 2013, social demographer Bernard Salt said that Townsville would go from regional powerhouse to metropolitan city by 2026, and that there are fewer people living in the state of Tasmania than in North Queensland.

“Supporters of the North Queensland state include Geoffrey Blainey, and Member of Parliament Bob Katter and former member Clive Palmer.

“One of many proposals stated that North Queensland would contain 785,890 people, ranking slightly above that of Tasmania, although lower than that of South Australia. In area, it would be 735,300 square kilometers, ranking between New South Wales and Victoria, and bringing Queensland down to the third largest state/territory in Australia.”

Most importantly, the nqstate.com.au website explains what would happen to State of Origin.

“Once the new state is formed, there would be Queensland and North Queensland. The eligibility test for State or Origin would mean that there would be no change to the QLD team for at least the first 20 years of existence of the new NQ State. Then, North Queensland would have its own team to beat both the other sides!”

Powerful politician and proud North Queenslander Bob Katter has been pushing for the split pretty hard recently.

But could Origin survive?

A three-way tournament?

Blues fans say yes!

A twenty year dynasty awaits!